Washington Hebrew Congregation’s main hallway is lined with photographs of each of the Reform synagogue’s confirmation classes going back more than a century. And this month, Washington Hebrew has added the 128th confirmation class photo to its wall. Confirmation, was created as a rite of passage for Jewish 16 or 18 year olds by the… Read More

“In general, gin and vermouth is more refreshing in summer months,” said Nick Farrell, a six-year veteran behind the bar, who works at the Iron Gate Restaurant in Dupont Circle. “Cocktails with shrubs in general are great summer drinks as well.” He added that if clear spirits seem more refreshing, it’s more than just a… Read More

Tikvat Israel Congregation in Rockville is marking the omer period between Pesach and Shavuot with a series of spiritual, dance and music workshops. “We are hoping take people on a journey that will touch their mind, body and soul,” says Rabbi Benjamin Shull. “We want to demonstrate that Judaism encourages us to integrate… Read More

Union Kitchen, a food incubator in Washington, hums with activity day and night as nearly 50 food companies prep, cook, bake and package their wares. Working diligently in the upstairs bakery layering cake cutouts and frosting is Haley Raphael, the 23-year-old founder of Pops by Haley, a baked-goods company that specializes in push-up cake pops…. Read More

Facebook may be the way to learn exactly what your co-worker had for dinner, which of your friends has the cutest baby or how your relatives are spending every single minute of their vacation. But how did people spread the word about their every waking moment before Facebook, Twitter or Instagram existed, say, back in… Read More

While Jewish weddings are usually highly ritualized, today’s engaged couples are increasingly looking to personalize their celebrations. “In general, I see a lot of wedding branding going on, meaning people are really trying to personalize it,” said Shari Zatman, owner of Perfectly Planned by Shari, an event-planning business based in Pittsburgh. Zatman said she has noticed… Read More

When Donna Vaccarezza flipped through bridal magazines, she found that designer wedding dresses cost thousands of dollars. To her, that just didn’t seem fair. “I never believe that you should pay too much money for anything and you can get things for a lot less than what they’re listed at,” said Vaccarezza. “I wanted to… Read More

Sitting through an entire Shabbat service next to his girlfriend was nerve-racking for Brian Posner. That’s because he was carrying a big ring in his pocket and a big secret. Posner and Michelle Akerman met at Washington Hebrew Congregation’s 2239 monthly Metro Minyan Shabbat community a year-and-half ago. On April 25, Posner proposed at Metro… Read More

As day turns to night in downtown Washington, Shabbat begins and so does Metro Minyan – a monthly service for young Jewish adults sponsored by Washington Hebrew Congregation. At a certain point, Rabbi Aaron Miller asks if anyone has a simcha they would like to share. Hands shoot up in the air as Miller scans… Read More